Hong Kong protests: shot student remains in critical condition after surgery to remove right kidney, part of liver and bullet, as arguments rage over force used
- Station sergeant shot 21-year-old in the abdomen at a road crossing in Sai Wan Ho at 7.20am following confrontation at a road crossing
- While footage shows the unarmed protester approaching officer, police accuse him of trying to snatch sergeant’s pistol
A student protester who was shot at close range by a Hong Kong police officer remained in a critical but non-life threatening condition on Monday night, as critics and the force crossed swords over whether disproportionate force had been used.
A station sergeant shot the 21-year-old college student, surnamed Chow, in the abdomen at a road crossing in Sai Wan Ho at 7.20am following a confrontation. Chow is the third protester shot with live ammunition since anti-government protests broke out five months ago.
While video footage showed the unarmed black-clad Chow approaching the officer, police accused him of trying to snatch the sergeant’s pistol, which prompted the shot.
He was sent to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan in critical condition after the bullet damaged his right kidney and liver.
His condition stabilised but was still categorised as critical after he underwent an operation to remove the bullet, the kidney and part of his liver. He remained in the intensive care unit.
A source said Chow was sedated throughout Monday. But if his condition improved on Tuesday, he would be taken off the sedation.
